Drying apparatus



0.1. WATROUS.

DRYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21,1920. I 1,419,707. Patented June 13,1922.

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D. J. WATROUS.

DRYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21,1920.

Patentd June 13, 1922.

1);]; WATROUS. DR YlNG APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21,1920.

Patented June 13, 1922.

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III/lIIII/III/I/IIIIIII Y 51W -9 .Dentqn I dnowo s useful Improvements in Drying Apparatus To all it may concern:

0mm STAT-ES PATENT- omcs.

BENTON J. WL'IROUS, OFGRO'1'0N, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO AIRDRY CORIOBATION, I 01' GBOTOIY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW "YORK.

" 'nmrme APPARATUS.

Application flled- July 21,

Be it known that I, DENTON J. WATROUS, a

citizen of the United States, and resident of Groton, in the count of Tompkins and State of New York, have invented certain new and (Case No. 12), of-which the specification. v This invention relates owing is a to improvements in drying apparatus and has for its general object to provide simpleand eflicient means adapted for economical use in lavatoriesof buildings, barber and hair-dressing estab- 'ishments, and similar places for drying the face and hands or the hair of a person in a sanitary and rapid manner, or for. use in factories or the like for'drying articles of various kind e A further object of the in-.

vention is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth having a plurality of individuallz anddisc arging blasts of air supplied mm a controlled devices for heatin common source of compressed air .tioll ofthe pp a f l 86 in the lavatories-of a building;

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic-view, showing an -installa F ig. 2 a side elevation of one of the in divi-dually controlled air heating and discharging mechanisms; i I

- Fig. 3 a front view of {one of the individ- 4 -uall controlled air heatinganddischarging mec anisms; Fig. 4 a vertical central sectional view,

.in-Fig.'3;- I v Fig. 5. a transverse section on the hue partly in side. elevation, of the parts shown I V-.V of Fig. 4 through the air-discharge nozzle;

Fig. 6 a detail view showing one of coil terminals'and the associated terminal I 1 cli.

with which one of the wires to the swrtch'isconnected;

Fig. 7 a detail top .plan view of the heatingbcoil and its supporting core; 1

ig. 8 a transverse section through; the

nozzle on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4;

. l V by a artition 23,1nto chambers 24 and 25.

Figs 11 and; 12 detail rear elevations of thesnap switch in .oflf and on positions, respectively 5' a Specification of Letters latent.

1220. Serial 1T0. 397,983.

" justable stem. a

In the preferred embodiment ofthe invention shown in the drawings, 1 designates .an air compressor of ordinary construction provided with the usualintake valve 2, dis- .charge pipe 3 leading to the air storage tank 4, and the automatic pressure regulat- Patented June 13, 1922.1

ing device 5 connected by pipe 6 with'the 'shorthorizontal outlet pipe 7 which leads from tank 4 to the vertical standpipe or main air line 8. One or more branch lines 9 extend from pipe 8 on each oor to the lavatory orlavatories on the several floors of the 'buildin each of these branch lin'es leading through openin'gsin the pro jecting portions of the side walls of rec-- tangu ar metal boxes or casing sections 10 set in recesses in one wall 12 of a lavatory adjacent the usual stationary washbasins 13. Each box 10 is referably located a little to one side and a ove one of the wash basins, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the front sideof the box above the horizontal partition 11 is entirely'open. A vertical flange 14 extends upwardl from the' front edge of the top wall of ox 10. A. cover plate of the same width asthe' box 10 is detachably' held to the box over the opening-inthe front of the "box, said plate comprising =a fiat lower portion 15, an an ular upper portion 16 having side walls-.1 resting on top 'of the PIOiBCtIIl portion of the box 10, and

aforward y bu gedportion 18 having side wa,lls ,19 abutting at .their inner edges the separable connections between the heating against the. forward ed 'es ofthe side walls of thebox. A air 0 screwsq2O hold the part 15-of the 'p ate against the front wall of the lower compartment of-box 10 and-a pair of screws 21 hold thewvertical front 4 'wall of the an ular portion 16 of the cover plate a ainst t e flange 14 on box 10.

.A va ve casing 22 is interposed in the pipe Iine Q-at a point within theupper compart ment of'box. 10, said casing being divided Ihe c amber or assage 25 forms a through communication" twee n ad'acent ends of sections of the pipe 9'wh1le' c amber 24 communicates with an outlet branch 26'. A circulanaperture provided in the partition I 23, the edge of which is beveled to form a elbow fitting 31 is screwed or swiiveled on the other end of elbow 30 so as to permit rotary movement of'elbow 31 relative to elbow 30.

The elbows 30 and31 are housed within .the forwardly bulged portion of the cover plate or removable section of the casing, the wall 18 of which is provided with an elongated vertical slot 32 opposite the elbow 31. A sectional air discharge nozzle is detachably held to the free end of elbow 31 by means of a plug 33 screwed 1n the nner end of section34 of the nozzle and having a reduced portion screwed in the free end of elbow 31. The outer section 35 of the nozzle has a screw-thread connection withsect on 34 of the nozzle at 36 at a point outside the cover plate or front section of the casing.

The slot 32 is sufiiciently wide to permit the nozzle to be swung up and down until arrested by the ends of the slot which, in

the construction shown, isof such lengthv as to permit the nozzle to swing through an arc of approximately 135. The SQCtlOIl 34 of the nozzle which extends throu h slot 32 is provided at its inner end wit ,two laterally extending arms or proyections 37 each of which supports a spring-pressed plunger or friction shoe 38 the shanks of which project within recesses in the outer faces of the arms, the friction surfaces of the heads of the plungers being pressed firmly against the inner surface of part 1-8' A of the 'cover plate of the casing by coiled springs 39 so as to frictionally hold the nozzle in an position to which it IS moved.

A pair 0 spring wire-terminal clips 40 are secured by short screws .41 to blocks of suitable insulating material 42 which are secured to opposite sides of the nozzle-section-3'4 within andyjustabove the outer end of said nozzle section. An electric heater w is removably mounted in; the nozzle-section 35. The porcelain core or coil support 43 of the heater is fixed tightly on a rod 44 on the projecting ends of whic two spacingand supporting devices 45 are r gldly he Each spacing device 45 comprlses a palr of parallel sheet metal bars having coming an opening in plementary central bowed portions formtogether at each side of the center thereof by rivets 46 to tightly clamp the devices 45 on the ends of rod 44. The devices 45 are confined at their ends in slots 47 formed in theends of a metallic tube or the two-part device to' receive the rod,-the-two bars being riveted 62 by the two bowed metal plates 66 which heater casing 4 by slitting said tube and turningin the metal along the edges of the slots. The core 43 is thus held against endwise and rotary movement in sleeve 48. A chromel or othersuitable resistance wire 49 is wound aroundthe core, which is prel erably provided with four radially extend-.. ing fins or longitudinal ribs as shown so as to'permit air to pass through the nozzle both inside and outside the heating coil. Twoblade-like coi-l terminals 50 are secured to core 43 at the upper end of the core and the resistance wire 49 forming the coil is wound spirally'around the core from one of said terminals to the lower end of the core, then passes through an aperture in one rib of the core and extends upwardly along the opposite side of said rib to the other terminal of the coil, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7.- The coil-terminals 50' are adapted to engage in the terminal clips 40 on nozzle section 34 when the heater is slid inwardly through the outer end of the nozzle. The heater is removably held in place by a ring 51 held against an internal annular shoulder on nozzle section 35 by a clamping ring 52 threaded on the outer end of the nozzle section. A fine mesh wire screen 53 is preferably clamped around its edge between I rings 51- and 52. Plug 33 in the upper end of the nozzle has a bore 54 in communicationwith elbow 31 at its inner end and -four divergent jet pipes or tubes 55 are ary contacts 57 of a double pole snap switch,

the other two stationary contacts 58 of which switch are connected by wires 59 to line wires60 extending past each air heating and discharge device in the building and connected WIth a suitable source-of current. The circuit through line wires 60 is a closed circuit and the several heating coils are 11 wired in parallel so that they may be controlled inde endently by their. individual switches T e pairs of stationary contacts 57 and 58 of the switch are mounted on a fiber or other insulating block 61 secured to the partitioh 11 in box 10. A fiber block 62, having" a limited vertical movement on posts 63 secured to block 61, carries the two pairs of contacts 64 and 65 held to block and break one'line of, the branch circuit 130 other line of .the branch circuit. The block rod 69 is moved upwardly-valve 27 is o J 62 is reciprocated by a substantially dia-H mond shaped cam 67 formed on the-upper end of an angular arm 68 of a vertical rod 69. "The cam 67 is adapted to pass through an opening 70 in block 62 and its cam edges cooperate with a pair of rollers 71 journalled in yokes 72 and forced toward each other by coiled. springs 73 seated in sockets,

74' at opposite sides of the 'opening'7O in block .62. Yokes 72 are held against endwise movement by the sides of opening 70 and against vertical movement by metal cover plates 75 secured to the top and bottom of the block over opening 70 and having apertures therein just large enough'to' permit cam 67 to pass therethrough. ,Nuts

94.- on the upper ends of posts 63 limit theupward movement of block 62 and it will be obvious that, with the parts in off po sition, as shown in Fig. 11, when cam 67 is forced upwardl until its high point passes between the ro lers 71, the'switch will assume the on osition shown in Fig. 12 with a snap action, and that when cam 67 is pulled downward the stored to ofi position.

The valve stem 28' of the air outlet valve 27 is provided with a split socket 28" provided with a clamping screw 76 to. adapt the valve stem to be a'djustably clamped on the upper end of the vertical rod 69. Wheg to permit air under pressure to rus out through the nozzle from the pipe 9, and the switch controllin the passage of current through the heating coil in the nozzle 1s simultaneously closed so that the air willv an opening or vertical slotiin bracket plate 80 into a box or netalfcasing 82 set in the wall 12 at the floor level below box 10. A

coil spring 83 normally presses the rear end of treadle 77 downward against the bottom of a vertical slot 84 in an adjustable stop plate 85 slidablytheld to a rigid bracket 86 also slotted to receive the rear end of the treadle and depending from the top wall of box 82. The stop 85 is adjustable relatively to bracket 86 'by an ad usting screw 87. Spring 83 is of sufiicient strength to automatically restore treadle 77 to the sition shown in. ig. 4 to automatically 0' ose the valve 27 and open the switch when the 'foot of the operator is removed fromithe treadle. Plate 80 is the same size as the rectangular parts will be reopen front side of box and is held to i i said box by screws 88. A finishing plate 89, provided with side and top flanges and averticalslot 90 open at its lower end to receive the U-shaped art v7 9 of the bracket plate, is detachably eld to two bosses 91 on bracket plate 80 by's'crews 92, the topflange of the plate having an open ended slot 93 to' receive the'rod 69.

What I claim is:' 1. A drying apparatus comprising-an air supply conduit, means forsupplying air un--] der pressure to said conduit, a plurality of conduit, a plurality of valves'for independently controlling the dischar 'e of air from.

.said nozzles, a plurality of e ectric heating devices for heating the air discharged sociated with'each nozzle independently of the other valves andswitches.

2; A drying apparatus comprisingan air supply conduit, means for s pplying air un 'der pressureto said conduit air-discharge nozzles connected with saidconduit, a plurality of valves for independ: entlycontrolling the discharge of air from said nozzles, a plurality of electric heating a plurality of devices .for heating the air discharged through said nozzles, alplurality of electric switches each controllin the sup ly of cur rent to.one of said. he ting devlces, and. a

air-discharge nozzles connected .withsaid 1 06 plurality of manually shiftable devices each operatively connected to simultaneously open 1 the valve and, close the switch associated with 1' one 0 said nozzlesu 3. A drying apparatus comprisingaplurality of air-blast devices, means common to all of said devices for supplying air under pressurethereto, means forming an electric- -current-supplying circuit having a plurality of branches connected therewith in parallel, an electric heater and controlling switch therefor ineach branch of saidcircuit, said heaters being arrenged to heat theair which I passes through the several airblast devices, valves .associated with the air-blast devices for controlling the passage ofair there-' through from the common air-supplying means, .and means for operating the valveand switch associated with each air-blast device.

ra1ity,of air-blast devices, meanscommon-to of-branches connected therewith in parallel, an electric heater and controlling switch therefor in each branch of said circuit, said heaters being arranged to heat the air which 4. A drying apparatus comprisinga plu- I all of said devices for supplying ,air under pressure thereto, means forming an electric current-supplyingcircuit having-a plurality 126 asses through the se'vegal air-blast devices, #30

valves associated with the air-blast devices for. controlling the passage of air there'- .through from the common air-supplying pressure thereto, means forming an electric current-supplying circuit having a plurality of'branches connected therewith in parallel, an electric heater and COIltIOlling switch therefor in each branch of said circuit, said heaters being arranged to heat the air which passes through the several air-blast devices, valves associated with the air-blast devices for controlling the passage of air therethrough from the common air-supplying means, a plurality of treadles each operatively connected to open the valve and close the switch associated with one of theair-blast devices when depressed, and means for automatically restoring said treadles to normal position to close the valves and open the switches connected therewith.

6. A drying apparatus comprising an airsupply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of air-discharge nozzles connected with said conduit, a plurality of valves for independently controlling the dischar e of air from said nozzles, a pluralitv of e ectric heating devices for heating the air discharged through said nozzles, a plurality of electric switches each controlling the supply of current to one of said heating devices, a plurality of manually shiftable devices each operatively connected to simultaneously open ,the valve and close the switch associated with one of said nozzles, and spring means for automatically restoring said devices to normal position when the same are released to close the valves and open the switches.

7. A drying apparatus comprising. an air supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of air-discharge nozzles connected with said conduit, valves for controlling communication between said nozzles and conduit, electric air-heatingdevices in said nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to said heating devices, and means for operating the valve and switch associated with each nozzle independently of the other valves and switches.

.8. A drying apparatus comprising an air-.

,supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of air-discharge nozzles connected withsaid.

conduit, valves for controlling communication between said nozzles and conduit, electric air-heating devices in said' nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current vice to its valve-closing and switch-opening which is operatively connected to open the valve and close the switch associated with one of said nozzles when moved in one direction and to close the valve and open the switch when moved in the reverse direction.

9. A drying apparatus comprising an air supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of air-discharge nozzles connected with said conduit,-valves for controlling communication between said nozzles and conduit, electric air-heating devices in said nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to said heating devices, a plurality of independently shiftable devices each of which is operativ'ely connected'to open the valve and close the switch associated with one of said nozzles when moved in one direction and to close the valve and open the switch when moved in the reverse direction, and resilient means associated with each of said devices for normally forcing said deposition.

10. A drying apparatus comprising an air supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of nozzles. means embodying swivel connections for adjustably supporting the nozzles in communication with said conduit, valves controlling the passage of air from the conduit through said nozzles, electric air-heating devices insaid nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to said heating devices, and means for operating the valve and switch associated with each nozzle.

11. A drying apparatus comprising an air 1 supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of nozzles, means embodying swivel connectionsfor adjustably supporting the nozzle in communication with said conduit, valves 0 controlling the passage of air from the conduit through said nozzles, electric air-heating devices in said nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to said heating devices, and a plurality of independent-1y shiftable devices each of which is operatively connected to own the valve and close the switch associate with one of said nozzles when moved in one direction and to close the valve and open the switch when moved in the reverse direction.

12. A drying apparatus comprising an air supply conduit, means for supplying air under pressure to said conduit, a plurality of nozzles, means embodying swivel connections for adjustably sup ortln the nozzles in communication wit saif conduit, valves controlling the pamage of air from the conduit through said nozzles, electric air-heating devices in said nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to, said heatlng devices, a plurality of treadles each operatively connected to open the valve and close the switch amociated with one of saidunder pressure, a swinging nozzle, an elec tric heater in said nozzle, a switch controlling the supplyv of current to said heater, and means for opening and closing communication between said nozzle-and source of air and automatically ope-rating said switch I to close the circuit through the heater when air isbeing supplied to-the nozzle and break the circuit when the supply of air to the noz zle is cut oil.

15. The combination of a source of air under pressure, a swinging nozzle, an electricheater in said nozzle, a switch controlling the supply of current to said heater, means for opening and closing communication between said nozzle andsource of air and automatically operating said switch to close the circuit through the heater when air is being supplied to the nozzle and break the circuitwhen the supply of air to the nozzle is cut oil, and means for holding the swinging nozzle in different adjusted positions.

supply conduit, means for supplying air .un-

16. A drying apparatus comprising {in air der pressure to said conduit, a plurality of nozzles, means embodying swivel connections for adjustably supportin the nozzles in communication with sai conduit, valves controlling the passage of air from the conduit through said nozzles, electric air-heating devices in said nozzles, electric switches controlling the supply of current to "said heating devices, a pluralit of independently shiftable devices each-o which is opera tively connected to open the the switch associated with one of said nozzles when moved in one direction and to close the valve and open the switch when moved in the reverse direction, and means for valve and close holding the nozzles in difi'erent adjusted positions.

17 The combination 'of a wall box, having a curved wall portion provided with a slot, an air supply conduit passing through said box and provided with an outlet branch enclosed within the. box, a nozzle pivotally held to said outlet branch and projecting through said slot, means carried by the nozzle frictionally engaging the curved wall portion of the box to hold'the nozzle in adjusted position, and means for controlling the passage of air through said outlet branch to the nozzle.

18. The combination of a wall box having a curved wall portion provided with a slot, an air supply conduit passing through said box and provided with an outlet branch en closed within the box, a nozzle pivotally held to said outlet branch and projecting through said slot, means'carried by the nozzle frictionally engaging the curved wall portion of the box to hold the nozzle in adjusted position, and an electric air-heater mounted in the nozzle.

1 9. The combination of a wall box having a curved wall portion provided with a slot,

an air supply conduit passing through said box and provided with an outlet branch enclosed within the box, a nozzle pivotally held tosaid outlet branch and projecting through said slot, means carried by the nozzle frictionally engaging the curved wall portion of the box to hold the nozzle in adjusted position, an electric air-heater in the nozzle, a switch in the box,,wires leading from the terminals of the heater to said switch, a valve controlling one passage of air through the outlet branch, and means located outside the box operatively connected 7 to operate the valve and switch.

20. An air-heating and discharging de-.

vice .comprising a nozzle divided transversely into two sections detachably 'connected together, an attachment plug detachably held to the inner end of the nozzle having air and wire passages therethrough, v

wire terminals mounted within the inner section of the nozzle, and an electric heater mounted invthe outer section of the nozzle and provided with terminals having a slip connection with the wire terminals on the .inner nozzle section.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afli x my no signature.

' DEN-TON J. WATROUS. 

